Monroe County, Wisconsin

Monroe County, Wisconsin
Monroe County is a county in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census, the population was 46,274. Its county seat is Sparta.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.8%) is water.
United States Army posts
Fort McCoy, Wisconsin
Adjacent counties
Jackson Countynorth
Juneau Countyeast
Vernon Countysouth
La Crosse Countywest
Demographics
2020 census
As of the census of 2020, the population was 46,274. The population density was . There were 19,769 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 89.2% White, 1.4% Black or African American, 1.3% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.1% from other races, and 5.0% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 5.5% Hispanic or Latino of any race.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 40,899 people, 15,399 households, and 10,794 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 16,672 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 96.52% White, 0.46% Black or African American, 0.92% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. 1.81% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 45.5% were of German, 13.4% Norwegian, 7.6% Irish, 6.3% American and 5.0% English ancestry. 92.9% spoke English, 3.1% German and 2.2% Spanish as their first language.
There were 15,399 households, out of which 34.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.10% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 101.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.60 males.
In 2017, there were 534 births, giving a general fertility rate of 67.9 births per 1000 women aged 15–44, the 21st highest rate out of all 72 Wisconsin counties. Of these, 43 of the births occurred at home. Additionally, there were 21 reported induced abortions performed on women of Monroe County residence in 2017.
In 2010, the reported adherence figures for the largest religious groups in Monroe County were Catholic at 9,250 adherents, Wisconsin Synod Lutheran at 3,102 adherents, ELCA Lutheran at 2,297 adherents, Amish at 1,627 adherents, LCMC Lutheran at 1,270 adherents, and United Methodist at 1,155 adherents.
Transportation
Major highways
Interstate 90
Interstate 94
U.S. Highway 12
Highway 16 (Wisconsin)
Highway 21 (Wisconsin)
Highway 27 (Wisconsin)
Highway 33 (Wisconsin)
Highway 71 (Wisconsin)
Highway 131 (Wisconsin)
Highway 162 (Wisconsin)
Highway 173 (Wisconsin)
Railroads
Canadian Pacific
Union Pacific
Amtrak
Tomah station
Buses
Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit
List of intercity bus stops in Wisconsin
Airports
Sparta/Fort McCoy Airport
Bloyer Field Airport (Y72)
Communities
Cities
Sparta (county seat)
Tomah
Villages
Cashton
Kendall
Melvina
Norwalk
Oakdale
Warrens
Wilton
Wyeville
Towns
Adrian
Angelo
Byron
Clifton
Glendale
Grant
Greenfield
Jefferson
La Grange
Lafayette
Leon
Lincoln
Little Falls
New Lyme
Oakdale
Portland
Ridgeville
Scott
Sheldon
Sparta
Tomah
Wellington
Wells
Wilton
Census-designated places
Cataract
Tunnel City
Unincorporated communities
Angelo
Clifton
Farmers Valley
Four Corners
Glendale
Jacksonville
Kirby
Leon
Norway Ridge
Oil City
Portland
Raymore
Ridgeville
St. Mary's
Scotts Junction
Shennington
Spring Bank Park
Valley Junction
Economy
Largest employers
Tomah VA Medical Center
Dept. of Defense
Walmart distribution center
Toro
County of Monroe
Northern Engraving
Century Foods
Cardinal Glass Industries
Wal-Mart stores
Tomah Memorial Hospital
Politics
See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Monroe County, Wisconsin
References
Further reading
Biographical History of La Crosse, Monroe and Juneau Counties, Wisconsin. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1892.
Richards, Randolph A. (ed.) History of Monroe County Wisconsin Past and Present Including an account of the Cities, Towns, and Villages of the County. Chicago: C. F. Cooper, 1912.
External links
Monroe County government website
Monroe County map from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
1854 establishments in Wisconsin